Denmark makes medical cannabis program permanent after successful trial
- The Danish government and opposition parties have agreed to make the medical cannabis trial program permanent starting in 2026.
- The decision comes after a new evaluation indicated a significant increase in prescriptions filled since the program began in 2018.
- This shift represents a notable change in Denmark, where recreational cannabis remains illegal.
Denmark has recently announced that its medical cannabis trial program will become permanent starting in 2026. This decision, communicated by Minister of the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde, follows a new evaluation that indicates a considerable rise in the number of prescriptions. Since its inception in 2018, the trial aimed to provide legal medical cannabis to select patient groups, including those suffering from conditions like multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. The current evaluation revealed that the number of prescriptions has risen to its highest level since the program's start, underscoring the treatment's benefits as reported by many patients who utilize it. The original trial was supposed to conclude in 2025, after being extended in 2021. However, the growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis has prompted the Danish government and opposition parties to take steps toward institutionalizing this treatment option. Notably, the evaluation also found that there are no new safety risks associated with medical cannabis use, paving the way for its continued application in medical settings. Despite its successes, the program has faced criticism. Stakeholders have raised concerns about limited product availability, high costs, and a lack of educational resources for healthcare providers about prescribing medical cannabis. These challenges have contributed to skepticism among some doctors, many of whom feel that they do not have sufficient guidance to prescribe medical cannabis confidently. The new agreement aims to address these criticisms by strengthening guidance for both healthcare providers and patients. As this shift unfolds in Denmark, it reflects a broader trend across Europe, where countries are increasingly adopting medical cannabis regulations. For instance, alongside Denmark, Germany has recently legalized recreational cannabis for personal use, facilitating access to medical cannabis. Moreover, developments in countries like Ukraine, Spain, and Portugal signal a growing acceptance and understanding of medical cannabis throughout Europe. This context suggests that Denmark's decision, while locally significant, is part of a larger movement towards more progressive cannabis policies in the European region.